Even before they use social media, children are exposed to screens through television and tablet games, and the negative consequences of prolonged screen exposure are well known, particularly on children's attention abilities, language development, creativity and independence.
Early screen exposure thus harms the development of sustained attention, selective attention and divided attention. In addition, a child's receptive and expressive language ability is hindered by sustained screen exposure.
When it comes to young adults, the scientific literature on the effects of screens on their learning remains limited. Yet studying the consequences of social media use is relevant, particularly to understand its influence on students' behaviour and cognitive development. Because the brain's frontal lobe keeps developing until the mid-twenties, this period is critical for studying the impacts of screens and social media.
What about you? How do you use social media? Do you think it affects your attention, your information-seeking or your behaviour? Learn more in this video from Laurence Morency-Guay, psychology professor and founder of the Parent qui apprend platform.
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